Written Answers Friday 9 June 2006

Scottish Executive

Ambulance Service

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many members of ambulance crew have been employed to operate ambulances in the city of Edinburgh in each year since June 1999, broken down by grade.

Mr Andy Kerr: The number of ambulance crew employed to operate accident and emergency (A&E) ambulances in the city of Edinburgh as at 31 March each year is broken down in the following table:

  

 
 1999
 2000
 2001
 2002
 2003
 2004
 2005
 2006


 Paramedics
 34
 34
 35
 34
 41
 45
 53
 56


 Technicians
 55
 53
 57
 59
 62
 56
 48
 49


 Total
 89
 87
 92
 93
 103
 101
 101
 105



  Note: *These numbers relate to headcount and not whole-time equivalents - information supplied by the Scottish Ambulance Service.

  As part of the introduction of the priority based dispatch system in 2002 and in order to meet its target of having one paramedic on every front-line ambulance by March 2005, the Scottish Ambulance Service has been increasing its overall number of staff as well as altering the staffing mix to increase the number of paramedics working across Scotland.

  In the last four years, the number of front-line staff (paramedics and technicians) working on A&E ambulance across the whole of Scotland has increased from 1,822 to 2,146 (as at 31 March 2006). The actual number of paramedics has increased from 721 to 1,204. This is an increase of nearly 60%.

  All Category A life-threatening calls should now be responded to by a paramedic, whether that paramedic is operating a Rapid Response Unit or is one of the crew on an A&E ambulance.

Central Heating Programme

Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Communities last met EAGA Partnership Ltd and what matters were discussed.

Malcolm Chisholm: I last met with Eaga Partnership representatives in October 2004 when issues relating to the central heating and warm deal programmes were discussed.

Education

Ms Maureen Watt (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have entered teacher training courses in each year since 1999 and, of these, how many successfully completed courses, broken down by subject area.

Peter Peacock: The following tables show an indicative number of entrants to the four year Batchelor of Education (BEd) course in each year since 1999 and graduates in the related period to those entering the course 1999-2000 to 2001-02, by main subject:

  Entrants to BEd Secondary Courses

  

 
 1999-2000
 2000-01
 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06


 Total
 160
 175
 199
 215
 211
 200
 191


 PE
 92
 100
 105
 104
 100
 100
 117


 Tech Ed.
 28
 33
 40
 56
 53
 42
 42


 Music.
 40
 42
 54
 29
 26
 30
 32



  Sources: 2005-06 Scottish Executive Education Department (SEED) figures collected from higher education institutions (HEIs). 1999-2000 to 2004-05 Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

  Notes:

  1. HESA figures include foreign nationals whereas SEED entrant figures from HEIs do not therefore are not directly comparable.

  2. Those entering the course 2002-03 to 2005-06 have yet to graduate.

  3. From 2002-03 Music entrant numbers are for the BEd at Glasgow University only. The course at Aberdeen University became a combined BMus (Education) where entrants do not make a choice about teaching until the second year of the course.

  Graduates from BEd Secondary Courses

  

 
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05


 Total
 136
 121
 152


 PE
 85
 69
 87


 Tech Ed.
 17
 23
 33


 Music
 34
 29
 32



  Source: HESA.

  The following tables show an indicative number of entrants to and graduates from the one year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) course in each year since 1999, by main subject:

  Entrants to PGCE Secondary Courses

  

 
 1999-2000
 2000-01
 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06


 Total
 1,004
 1,008
 1,121
 947
 1,040
 1,405
 1798


 English. 
 142
 145
 175
 149
 192
 308
 368


 History. 
 70
 96
 69
 53
 45
 58
 65


 Geography. 
 44
 53
 49
 44
 41
 56
 94


 Modern Studies.
 43
 65
 55
 45
 26
 30
 45


 Economics
 2
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 French. 
 65
 62
 77
 61
 83
 81
 103


 German. 
 21
 16
 16
 17
 20
 14
 12


 Spanish. 
 10
 5
 12
 8
 1
 3
 4


 Italian. 
 1
 2
 1
 1
 0
 0
 0


 Gaelic. 
 2
 2
 3
 4
 3
 4
 7


 Other modern languages
 4
 6
 11
 5
 4
 0
 0


 Latin.
 0
 0
 0
 2
 4
 0
 2


 Maths.
 104
 67
 97
 116
 155
 258
 257


 Computing. 
 46
 35
 70
 66
 71
 81
 71


 Biology. 
 76
 94
 85
 63
 33
 57
 81


 Chemistry. 
 58
 52
 54
 33
 51
 54
 111


 Physics. 
 36
 30
 43
 47
 57
 69
 91


 Art.
 57
 68
 57
 33
 43
 48
 100


 Business studies
 65
 56
 68
 39
 32
 42
 48


 Home Economics.
 23
 28
 27
 17
 28
 36
 55


 PE
 0
 0
 14
 9
 10
 27
 80


 Tech Ed.
 28
 29
 31
 49
 42
 63
 66


 Music.
 21
 24
 27
 24
 22
 24
 28


 Drama.
 26
 30
 34
 14
 31
 49
 47


 RE
 59
 44
 45
 50
 44
 44
 63



  Sources: 2005-06 Scottish Executive Education Department (SEED) figures collected from higher education institutions. 2000-01 to 2004-05 Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) with subject split included for Glasgow University in 2000-01 to 2004-05 from entrant figures collected by SEED from HEIs.

  Notes:

  1. HESA figures include foreign nationals whereas SEED entrant figures from HEIs do not therefore are not directly comparable.

  2. Those entering the course 2005-06 have yet to graduate.

  3. HESA figures collected 2000-01 to 2004-05 do not include a subject split for Glasgow University therefore are pro-rata on the basis of HEI figures collected by SEED from the University.

  Graduates from PGCE Secondary Courses

  

 
 1999-2000
 2000-01
 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05


 Total
 914
 898
 981
 839
 923
 1,221


 English. 
 134
 128
 152
 128
 156
 266


 History. 
 66
 85
 54
 48
 38
 53


 Geography. 
 42
 49
 43
 41
 37
 49


 Modern Studies.
 40
 63
 52
 42
 22
 26


 Economics
 2
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 French. 
 58
 53
 68
 50
 74
 76


 German. 
 19
 14
 12
 17
 18
 12


 Spanish. 
 10
 5
 12
 6
 3
 4


 Italian. 
 1
 2
 1
 0
 0
 0


 Gaelic. 
 2
 2
 3
 3
 5
 3


 Other modern languages
 4
 6
 10
 5
 4
 0


 Latin.
 0
 0
 0
 1
 4
 0


 Maths.
 98
 59
 84
 98
 139
 210


 Computing. 
 39
 29
 55
 61
 63
 69


 Biology. 
 74
 87
 79
 61
 31
 56


 Chemistry. 
 53
 42
 45
 30
 48
 48


 Physics. 
 27
 28
 38
 44
 53
 58


 Art.
 53
 62
 54
 32
 41
 44


 Business studies
 56
 49
 60
 35
 31
 38


 Home Economics.
 21
 27
 23
 15
 26
 33


 PE
 0
 0
 14
 8
 10
 25


 Tech Ed.
 21
 28
 29
 44
 38
 53


 Music.
 20
 21
 27
 22
 19
 21


 Drama.
 24
 27
 30
 9
 29
 43


 RE
 50
 32
 36
 39
 35
 33



  Sources: HESA with subject split included for Glasgow University in 2000-01 to 2004-05 estimated from entrant figures collected by SEED from HEIs.

  Note:

  1. HESA figures collected 2000-01 to 2004-05 do not include a subject split for Glasgow University therefore are pro-rata on the basis of HEI figures collected by SEED from the University.

Education

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to monitor levels of teachers’ paperwork in respect of personal learning plans to ensure that teachers use their time to teach.

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has calculated the average time which it will take teachers to complete the paperwork required in the administration of personal learning plans as part of the assessment, testing and reporting of 3 to 14-year-olds.

Peter Peacock: Personal learning planning is a process – it is a conversation about learning and the outcomes of the personal learning planning process can be captured in whatever way suits learners and the school best. We are clear that arrangements for personal learning planning should be manageable, realistic and sustainable.

Education

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements have been put in place to allow for teaching cover for composite classes which include primary 3 pupils to ensure that children not being tested as part of the Scottish Survey of Achievement receive the teaching to which they are entitled.

Peter Peacock: Headteachers are responsible for the administration of the survey and for classroom organisation. The Scottish Executive publishes guidance to schools about conducting the survey and does offer some additional support via local authorities to schools which have more than 60 pupils participating in the survey.

Education

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions composite class pupils have been without a teacher as a result of primary 3 pupils undertaking the Scottish Survey of Achievement, broken down by local authority area.

Peter Peacock: This information is not held centrally since it is a matter for Headteachers to take forward arrangements for the survey in their school.

Education

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what information is being sought from pupils as part of the Scottish Survey of Achievement.

Peter Peacock: Pupils involved in the 2006 Scottish Survey of Achievement are being asked to complete three assessment booklets containing tasks covering two or three of the 5-14 levels. In addition some pupils may be asked to take part in practical assessments. All pupils involved are asked to complete a questionnaire about their learning and classroom experiences. Copies of the questionnaires are available on the AifL – Assessment is for Learning website at:

  www.ltscotland.org.uk/assess/of/ssa/surveys/2006/index.asp.

Education

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from teachers and teaching bodies about the design of the mathematics booklet which forms part of the Scottish Survey of Achievement.

Peter Peacock: No representations have been received from teachers about the design of the mathematics booklet which forms part of the Scottish Survey of Achievement. One representation has been received from the EIS about the level of knowledge required for pupils to read the graphs in the Level A maths booklet.

Education

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to revise the associated booklets which form part of the Scottish Survey of Achievement.

Peter Peacock: All of the assessment tasks used in a Scottish Survey of Achievement (SSA) have been validated by practising teachers to ensure their appropriateness for the level and pre-tested with pupils before they are used in a survey. The assessment booklets used in each SSA are designed for each survey, although some assessments from previous surveys may be used as this provides a basis for over-time comparison.

  In addition, the Scottish Executive sought feedback from schools and local authorities following the 2005 SSA about the associated guidance documentation which was then revised in light of the feedback received.

Education

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many errors were recorded in the mathematics booklet which forms part of the Scottish Survey of Achievement and how many corrections to this booklet were found to be erroneous after they were issued.

Peter Peacock: The 2006 Scottish Survey of Achievement included 96 different numeracy booklets, 24 for each of primary 3, primary 5, primary 7 and S2. Two errors have been identified in these booklets.

  The first item is one of 112 items at Level E. The error in this item potentially affected a maximum of 360 pupils of a total of 8,862 in the sample (approx. 4%).

  The second item is one of 112 items at Level C. The error in this item potentially affected a maximum of 2,160 pupils of a sample of 26,140 (approx. 8%).

  SQA issued amendment notices for both errors as soon as they were identified. The amendment notice for the second error (multiple choice response option item – Level C) contained an error. No second amendment was issued in order to avoid further confusion. Instead, SQA have been instructed to remove this item from the analysis.

Housing

Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any concerns that local authorities do not take seriously the link between poor housing conditions and health risks for people with respiratory problems and what action it intends to take to ensure that local authorities consider the respiratory health needs of their tenants in relation to the housing which they occupy.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive is not aware of any such concerns. The announcement of the Scottish Housing Quality Standard in February 2004 makes clear our intention that all social rented housing in Scotland should be free from dampness and condensation and also be energy efficient in terms of heating systems and insulation by 2015. We will be working with local authorities to ensure this happens between now and that date.

Justice

Alex Fergusson (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2O-8697 by Hugh Henry on 19 January 2006, when it will notify the Parliament about its plans to increase the financial limit for small-claims cases dealt with by sheriff courts.

Hugh Henry: We are still considering all the issues in relation to this matter and will make an announcement as soon as we are ready.

Landfill

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the current status is of the planning application by Eden Waste Recycling Ltd for a landfill site in the Greengairs area.

Johann Lamont: A formal decision has not yet been issued. A completed Section 75 legal agreement was submitted to Scottish ministers for consideration, but as there were a number of issues of concern regarding the document’s content and enforceability it has been returned to North Lanarkshire Council for further consideration.

Landfill

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been notified of a change of ownership of the site in the Greengairs area which is the subject of a planning application by Eden Waste Recycling Ltd for a landfill site.

Johann Lamont: The Executive is aware of reports that Eden Waste Recycling Ltd has sold its recycling business and associated assets to Shanks, and is currently seeking further information from the parent Company, Murray International Holdings Ltd, about the status of the Dalmacoulter site.

NHS Waiting Times

Mrs Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many in-patients with a guaranteed waiting time have waited for over six months to be treated in each quarter in each of the last five years.

Mr Andy Kerr: The majority of patients who require in-patient and day case treatment are treated quickly. Nearly 53% of the patients treated in NHSScotland hospitals receive immediate treatment and never join a waiting list. Of those who do wait over 40% are admitted within one month and over 70% within three months.

  The Executive has been steadily reducing the maximum waiting time for those patients who wait longer. The national maximum waiting time was reduced from 12 months to nine months on 31 December 2003 and to six months on 31 December 2005. This will be further reduced to 18 weeks from the end of 2007. On 31 March 2006, no NHSScotland patient with a guarantee had waited more than six months for in-patient and day case treatment.

  NHSScotland is making good progress towards meeting the next key target of a maximum wait of 18 weeks by the end of 2007. At that point, a new approach to defining and measuring waiting will also be introduced to replace availability status codes (ASCs), which have the effect at present of excluding patients from waiting times guarantees where, for example, they are medically unfit for treatment, where they have asked for their treatment to be postponed, or where their treatment is highly specialised or of low clinical priority. The new approach will be fairer, more consistent and more transparent.

  Retrospective analyses of waiting times for hospital treatment compiled from SMR01 returns are based on data that does not record whether patients have had an ASC applied. The information requested is provided in the following table and it includes the waiting times of patients who have been exempted from the guarantee for the reasons given above and therefore overstates true waiting times. It is not possible to estimate the extent of the overstatement. The SMR3 waiting times census data, which excludes patients with ASCs, is used for target compliance purposes, and the table provided also includes SMR3 data for NHSScotland from the censuses undertaken in each quarter since 30 June 2001.

  NHSScotland: Number of Patients Who Had Waited More Than Six Months* and the Percentage Treated Within Six Months* from Being Placed on the Waiting List to Admission for In-Patient or Day Case Treatment in Each Quarter Since 30 June 2001

  

 Quarter Ending
 Waiting Time Commitment
 Number Of Patients Who Waited More Than 6 Months*


 30 June 2001
 12 months
 6,246


 30 September 2001
 12 months
 6,787


 31 December 2001
 12 months
 6,588


 31 March 2002
 12 months
 6,838


 30 June 2002
 12 months
 6,516


 30 September 2002
 12 months
 6,849


 31 December 2002
 12 months
 7,716


 31 March 2002
 12 months
 8,068


 30 June 2003
 12 months
 7,149


 30 September 2003
 12 months
 7,299


 31 December 2003
 9 months
 7,703


 31 March 2004
 9 months
 7,746


 30 June 2004
 9 months
 6,837


 30 September 2004
 9 months
 6,979


 31 December 2004
 9 months
 7,522


 31 March 2005
 9 months
 7,400


 30 June 2005
 9 months
 6,026


 30 September 2005P
 9 months
 4,896


 31 December 2005P
 6 months
 4,851


 31 March 2006P
 6 months
 2,516



  Source: ISD SMR01

  PProvisional.

  Notes:

  *Includes patients with an Availability Status Code. Consequently, true waiting times are likely to be overstated because of periods of medical unavailability, etc.

  Includes information on patients admitted from the deferred waiting list until its abolition on 1 April 2003.

  NHSScotland: Number of Patients on The Waiting List with a Guarantee Who Had Waited More Than Six Months for In-Patient or Day Case Treatment on Each Quarterly Census Date Since 30 June 2001

  

 Census Date
 Waiting Time Commitment
 Number Of Patients Who Were Waiting More Than 6 Months


 30 June 2001
 12 months
 11,607


 30 September 2001
 12 months
 12,223


 31 December 2001
 12 months
 12,781


 31 March 2002
 12 months
 10,882


 30 June 2002
 12 months
 12,336


 30 September 2002
 12 months
 12,381


 31 December 2002
 12 months
 11,535


 31 March 2002
 12 months
 8,959


 30 June 2003
 12 months
 9,972


 30 September 2003
 12 months
 10,538


 31 December 2003
 9 months
 8,507


 31 March 2004
 9 months
 5,727


 30 June 2004
 9 months
 6,161


 30 September 2004
 9 months
 7,512


 31 December 2004
 9 months
 6,005


 31 March 2005
 9 months
 1,596


 30 June 2005
 9 months
 1,118


 30 September 2005
 9 months
 1,249


 31 December 2005
 6 months
 2


 31 March 2006
 6 months
 0



  Source: ISD SMR3.

School Meals

Frances Curran (West of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much the evaluation of the Hungry for Success initiative (a) has cost to date and (b) is projected to cost by 2007 and what resources are being used to carry out the evaluation.

Peter Peacock: The total cost to date of the evaluation of Hungry for Success is £146,626.07. The projected cost for 2007 is £127,880. The cost of this evaluation is shared between the Scottish Executive and HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIe).

  The evaluation process has been undertaken by HMIe, who have a team of three Nutrition Associate Assessors working with them. These assessors have completed a programme of inspections in primary and special schools. In addition to the continuing inspection of primary and special schools, HMIe will begin the inspection of secondary schools in September 2006.

Sport

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-14295 by Patricia Ferguson on 17 March 2005, what percentage of children aged 13 to 17 now take part in sport outside the school curriculum and how this figure is measured.

Patricia Ferguson: The rolling average for the period 2002-04 shows that 70% of children aged 13 to 17 took part in sport outside the school curriculum. Participation levels for children aged 13 to 17 for the period 2003 to 2005 are expected to be available during summer 2006.

  The method of measurement is the same as that set out in response to the answer to question S2W-14291 on 17 March 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Sport

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of people aged 45 to 64 took part in sport at least twice a week in each of the last three years and how this was measured.

Patricia Ferguson: The rolling average for the period 2002-04 shows that 43% of people aged 45 to 64 took part in sport at least once a week which meets the Sport 21 target.

  The method of measurement is the same as that set out in response to question S2W-14291 on 17 March 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.